Did The Trojan War Really Happen? FREE April 5, 2007

Free



Western literature begins at Troy, with Homer's Iliad. The poem is an epic tale about such stirring characters as Helen, Paris, Achilles, Hector and Odysseus. And it all takes place during one of the most frustrating struggles in the annals of warfare, the Trojan War.

How much of this fabled conflict is true and how much is myth? Acclaimed ancient-military historian Barry Strauss describes recent archaeological research that shows that the war probably did happen. But it was a different kind of war than we usually imagine: more foreign, but, in some ways, all too familiar.

Barry Strauss is well-noted author and professor of history and classics at Cornell University. His unique ability to blend ancient history with the sensibilities of modern living has garnered critical acclaim for his works. He is the author of five books, including the recent History Book Club selection The Trojan War: A New History. Strauss' last book, The Battle of Salamis: The Naval Encounter That Saved Greece and Western Civilization, was named one of the Best Books of 2004 by the Washington Post and has been translated into five languages. Strauss writes about war, politics and sports from ancient to modern times. In addition to his individual works, he has also co-authored and co-edited other books and has written many scholarly articles, reviews and book chapters. His newspaper articles have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post and Newsday. He has written on the history of warfare for MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History, Naval History and Parameters: U.S. Army War College Quarterly. He has been interviewed for A&E, the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, the National Geographic Channel, the BBC and PBS and he has spoken at many universities, institutes, museums and war colleges in the United States and abroad.

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